Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot believes that in order to provide the games industry with a nice shot in the arm, the big three hardware makers need to release new consoles.
Speaking in an interview with MCV, Guillemot said with technology getting more powerful, it is best to introduce new IP into the market with newer forms of hardware. This, he believes, is why the industry is in a “depression,” as consumers are more willing to try a new IP when there’s new hardware at retail.
“If we look at the industry’s history we see that there are times when it is right to introduce new IP and times when it is harder,” he said. “At this stage in the consoles’ lifecycles it is possible to do new IP, but it will be more attractive when new consoles come along. That’s when consumers are more open to trying new things. As consoles get more mature it is the big established brands that soak up most of the sales.
“When a new format launches, we look to use the new technology to bring new games and new ideas to our consumers. We would always hope to be more successful on new formats than our competitors.
“Each time there is new hardware it gives our creative teams more freedom and they don’t have to follow the same rules. They can try new things because the consumer expects and wants new things.
“As an industry we need innovation. Kinect, Move, 3DS, NGP – all these things will help. Yes, the accessories and handhelds are really good, but I think it would be great for the industry to take advantage of technological advancements.
“Processors are more and more powerful, graphics cards have moved on, there are many technologies that would help us deliver a better experience and help the industry to grow… and that’s part of the reason why the industry is in depression. Consumers like the current formats, but there is not enough creativity at the end of a cycle to really spark the business.”
As far as new console are concerned, SCE boss Kaz Hirai said earlier in the year that PlayStation 4 isn’t on Sony’s radar yet, as its focus at the moment is PS3 and NGP. Meanwhile, analysts have been harping on Nintendo to release Wii 2 soon, and one, Stern Agee’s Arvind Bhatia, has even gone as far as to predict it will be announced at E3 in June.
Microsoft on the other hand have said not to expect a new console from the firm until at least 2015, and job listings from early March hinted that the firm was recruiting for a next-gen Xbox console.
Thanks, ScrawlFX.
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